prattle

[ prat-l ]
See synonyms for: prattleprattledprattlingprattler on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object),prat·tled, prat·tling.
  1. to talk in a foolish or simple-minded way; chatter; babble.

verb (used with object),prat·tled, prat·tling.
  1. to utter by chattering or babbling.

noun
  1. the act of prattling.

  2. chatter; babble: the prattle of children.

  1. a babbling sound: the prattle of water rushing over stones.

Origin of prattle

1
1525–35; <Middle Low German pratelen to chatter, frequentative of praten to prate; see -le

Other words for prattle

Other words from prattle

  • prattler, noun
  • prat·tling·ly, adverb

Words Nearby prattle

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use prattle in a sentence

  • The average prattle bout lasted about 7 minutes, with the longest being 43.

  • Then, since the Battleground states are something about which the Talking Heads like to prattle.

    The Prattleground States | Megan McArdle | November 7, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • But parenthood, as Thyrsis found, meant more than charming baby-prattle and the counting of teeth.

    Love's Pilgrimage | Upton Sinclair
  • Thus did Captain Glover prattle in his cheerful way while the party made its preparations for the night.

    Overland | John William De Forest
  • She paid as little heed to my words as a nurse to the prattle of a child.

    Dross | Henry Seton Merriman

British Dictionary definitions for prattle

prattle

/ (ˈprætəl) /


verb
  1. (intr) to talk in a foolish or childish way; babble

  2. (tr) to utter in a foolish or childish way

noun
  1. foolish or childish talk

Origin of prattle

1
C16: from Middle Low German pratelen to chatter; see prate

Derived forms of prattle

  • prattler, noun
  • prattlingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012